How many large gill slits are present on each side of the whale shark's head?
Answer
Five
Respiration in the whale shark is managed through prominent structures located just behind the eyes on the sides of the head. These structures are the gill slits, which are crucial for extracting oxygen from the vast amounts of water processed during their feeding routine. Specifically, the whale shark possesses five large gill slits on each side of its body. As obligate ram feeders, the shark must maintain continuous forward motion with its mouth open to force water across these five slits to ensure sufficient oxygen uptake necessary to sustain its massive body mass.
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